Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Hinesville.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Activator Method is a chiropractic adjusting approach that uses a handheld instrument to deliver a controlled, low-force impulse to a selected area of the spine or a related joint. The technique supports precise contact and consistent movement without the twisting motion commonly associated with some manual adjustments. A chiropractor chooses the contact point after an examination.
Also called: Activator technique
Anterior Pelvic Tilt is a postural position in which the front of the pelvis rotates forward and the back of the pelvis rises. This position often increases the inward curve of the lower back and changes how the hips, spine, and nearby muscles share movement. It describes alignment, not a diagnosis.
Also called: Anterior pelvic rotation
Atlas Vertebra is the topmost bone in the cervical spine and supports the skull. This ring-shaped vertebra connects the skull to the rest of the neck. Its joints allow controlled forward and backward head movement, while its broad openings protect the upper spinal cord and provide passage for important nerves and blood vessels.
Also called: C1 vertebra, First cervical vertebra
Biomechanics is the study of how forces affect movement in living bodies. In physical therapy, biomechanics examines how joints, muscles, bones, posture, and movement patterns work together during activities such as walking, lifting, or reaching. The analysis can help describe movement limits, uneven loading, and changes that may guide therapeutic exercise.
Cervical Spine is the neck section of the vertebral column. It consists of vertebrae, joints, discs, nerves, muscles, and connective tissues that support the head and allow neck movement. The cervical spine also provides a pathway that protects the upper portion of the spinal cord while coordinating movement and sensation between the head, neck, and upper body.
Also called: Neck spine
Cervicogenic Headache is a headache caused by referred pain from structures in the neck, especially the cervical spine and nearby joints, muscles, or nerves. Pain often begins in the neck or back of the head and may spread toward the forehead, temple, or eye. Neck movement can influence symptoms.
Also called: Neck-related headache
Chiropractic Subluxation is a chiropractic term for altered joint motion or spinal function that may affect movement, muscle activity, or comfort. Chiropractors assess the finding through history, physical examination, motion testing, and other appropriate clinical information. The term does not mean the same thing as a medically diagnosed vertebral dislocation or nerve compression.
Also called: Vertebral subluxation
The coccyx is the small, triangular bone at the bottom of the spine, commonly called the tailbone. It connects with the sacrum and helps support the pelvis while you sit. Muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues attach around it, so irritation in this area can affect nearby pelvic and lower back movement.
Also called: Tailbone
Core Stability is the ability to control and coordinate the muscles around the trunk, pelvis, and hips during movement. This control helps the spine stay supported while the body bends, reaches, lifts, walks, or changes position. Core stability depends on timing, strength, breathing, balance, and control rather than abdominal strength alone.
Also called: Core strength
Disc Bulge is a condition in which an intervertebral disc extends beyond its usual boundary. The disc’s outer layer remains broadly intact, but the tissue may press near spinal nerves or other structures. A bulge can occur in the neck or lower back and may appear with pain, stiffness, numbness, or no symptoms.
Also called: Bulging disc
A facet joint is a small paired joint at the back of the spine that connects neighboring vertebrae. Facet joints guide spinal motion, help limit excessive movement, and contain nerves that can contribute to neck pain when irritated. Each joint includes cartilage and a capsule that support smooth movement between vertebrae.
Also called: Zygapophyseal joint
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests ahead of the shoulders when viewed from the side. The position changes how the neck, upper back, and nearby muscles share movement and support. It may develop during prolonged screen use, driving, reading, or other activities that keep the head angled forward.
Also called: Tech neck
Gait Analysis is the systematic observation of how you walk or run. It examines foot placement, stride, balance, joint movement, and body alignment during movement. A clinician may compare both sides, observe walking from different angles, and identify movement patterns that may relate to posture, mobility, or physical function.
Also called: Walking assessment
Iliotibial Band is a strong strip of connective tissue that runs along the outer thigh from the hip area toward the outer knee. The band helps stabilize the pelvis and knee during walking, running, cycling, and other leg movements. Irritation or altered motion in nearby muscles and joints can produce outer-knee or hip discomfort.
Also called: IT band
Intervertebral Disc is a flexible cushion between neighboring vertebrae in the spine. Each disc has a tougher outer ring and a softer inner center. Together, these parts help the spine bear load, allow controlled movement, and reduce direct contact between spinal bones during ordinary activity.
Also called: Spinal disc
A joint restriction is a reduced ability of a joint to move through its normal range. The limitation may involve stiffness, altered joint motion, or discomfort during movement. In chiropractic care, the term describes a finding from an examination, not a diagnosis by itself. Providers assess the joint alongside surrounding muscles, nerves, posture, and movement patterns.
Also called: Restricted joint motion
Kinesiology Tape is an elastic adhesive strip applied to the skin to provide light support and sensory feedback during movement. The tape follows body contours and allows a person to move through a normal range. Practitioners place it over muscles, joints, or soft tissue as one part of a broader sports injury treatment plan.
Also called: KT tape
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the spinal column between the thoracic spine and pelvis. It contains five vertebrae that support the trunk, help form the lower back, and protect pathways for nerves traveling toward the legs. Movement, posture, and load-bearing all involve this region during daily activities.
Also called: Lower back spine
A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscle tissue that may cause pain, stiffness, or limited movement. The contraction can affect a small area, such as a neck muscle, or involve a broader region. Spasms may follow strain, prolonged posture, irritation, or changes in how nearby joints and tissues move.
Also called: Muscle cramp
Myofascial Pain is discomfort that arises from irritated or sensitive muscle tissue and the fascia surrounding it. The pain may feel deep, tight, aching, or tender. It can stay near the affected area or spread to another location. Muscle tension, restricted movement, and sensitive trigger points often shape the pattern.
Also called: 筋膜 pain
A nerve root is a short section of a spinal nerve that leaves the spinal cord through an opening between vertebrae. Each nerve root carries signals between the spinal cord and a specific region of the body. Pressure, irritation, or inflammation near a nerve root may contribute to pain, tingling, weakness, or altered sensation.
Also called: Spinal nerve root
Neuropathy is a condition involving damage, irritation, or altered function in peripheral nerves, which carry signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. It may cause burning, tingling, numbness, pain, weakness, or changes in sensation. Neuropathy can affect one nerve, several nerves, or wider nerve networks.
Also called: Peripheral neuropathy
Pelvic Alignment is the relationship between the pelvis and nearby structures, including the lumbar spine, hips, and sacroiliac joints. The term describes how these areas sit and move together during standing, walking, bending, and other activities. Practitioners assess alignment through posture, movement, and physical findings rather than through appearance alone.
Also called: Pelvic balance
Piriformis Syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve near the buttock. This irritation may produce pain, tingling, or numbness that travels into the back of the thigh or leg. Symptoms can resemble sciatica caused by a spinal disc or nerve-root problem.
Also called: Piriformis muscle syndrome
Postural Assessment is a structured review of body alignment and movement in standing, sitting, and other positions. A practitioner observes the head, shoulders, spine, pelvis, and limbs for patterns that may affect balance or movement. The review may include movement checks and a discussion of symptoms, daily activities, and physical demands.
Also called: Posture evaluation
Range of Motion is the available movement at a joint, measured through a specific direction or pathway. It describes how far a body part moves during active movement or assisted movement. Clinicians compare observed motion with the person’s comfort, control, and functional needs to guide assessment and treatment planning.
Also called: ROM
Referred Pain is a pain signal felt in an area away from its source. The source may involve muscle, connective tissue, a joint, or another structure. Shared nerve pathways can make the brain interpret the signal as coming from a nearby or separate body region, which can complicate assessment and massage planning.
Also called: Radiating pain
Rotator Cuff Strain is an overstretching or irritation injury affecting the muscles or tendons that support shoulder movement. It may develop after repeated overhead activity, sudden force, or poor load control. Common features include shoulder pain, tenderness, weakness, and reduced movement, although symptoms can vary with the affected tissue and activity.
Also called: Rotator cuff injury
Sacroiliac Joint is the connection between the sacrum at the base of the spine and the ilium of the pelvis. This joint transfers forces between the upper body and legs during standing, walking, and other movements. Strong ligaments support it, while limited motion helps maintain pelvic stability during daily activity.
Also called: SI joint
Soft Tissue Injury is a damage pattern affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, or other connective tissue. It may follow a sudden impact, repeated physical demand, awkward movement, or forceful stretch. Symptoms often involve localized pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, weakness, or reduced movement, while the affected tissue may not appear visibly damaged.
Also called: Soft tissue damage
The spinal cord is a long bundle of nervous tissue that carries signals between the brain and the body. It lies within the spinal canal and connects with spinal nerves along the spine. These pathways support movement, sensation, and automatic body functions. The spinal cord differs from the spinal column, which protects it.
Spinal Stenosis is a condition in which spaces within the spine become narrower and may reduce room for the spinal cord or nerve roots. The narrowing can occur in the neck or lower back. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in walking, depending on the affected area and pressure.
Also called: Narrowing of the spinal canal
Thoracic Spine is the middle section of the vertebral column, located between the cervical spine in the neck and the lumbar spine in the lower back. It contains vertebrae that connect with the ribs and help support the chest. Its joints, muscles, and nerves contribute to trunk movement, posture, and breathing mechanics.
Also called: Mid-back spine
Trigger Point is a focused, tender area within a muscle or its surrounding tissue that may hurt when pressed and can produce discomfort nearby. The area often feels tighter than nearby tissue. Massage therapy addresses these points through targeted pressure and tissue work that support muscle relaxation and more comfortable movement.
Also called: Myofascial trigger point
A vertebra is one of the individual bones that form the spinal column. Each vertebra has a body, an arch, and openings that help support the spine and protect the spinal cord. Vertebrae connect through joints and discs, allowing the back and neck to bend, rotate, and carry loads.
Also called: Spinal bone
The health and wellness information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified licensed provider in Hinesville, Georgia, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
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